february eighth two thousand thirteen.

It was a lovely day.

And, as many of you already know, it was my birthday.

Time has flown.

As my tradition goes I will give you pictures regarding my celebrations and take you along to all the day's activities if you weren't there otherwise. :)

I rang in the new age with my pooch... we were probably both snoring for all I know.
I usually wake up and greet the EXACT minute I was born with much persistant excitement, but I decided to just celebrate... sleeping... after I shut my alarm off... for probably the third time.

Then, as Madre and I got ready we jammed to Adele and Kari Jobe before heading to the Little Apple for a day of shopping. Yes, a girl that hates shopping always goes shopping on her birthday. Although, since I didn't have a time limit, it was very pleasurable.

Our stops?

• The Christian Bookstore.

Shocked much? An hour at the Christian bookstore leaves me happy... {even if I don't get anything.}That's exactly what we did. My purchases? Every book on my list of 17 books that I could find in the store--plus one that I couldn't resist. :)

1. A Chance To Die on Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
2. The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
3. Introverts In The Church by Adam Mchugh
4. Eat This Book by Eugene H. Peterson
5. Tenth Avenue North's album ''The Struggle"

• Then, we made our way to Applebee's.

 

Don't judge me for taking pictures of my meal. This is for you visual learners, I suppose. :)

 

Then, our waitress gladly let me have my birthday dessert WITHOUT the song. Needless to say,

no matter what she did wrong in serving us... she was a hero for this introvert. ;)

 

 

• Up next, Target.

 

 

• With time to kill, we cruised.

 

• The fulfillment of Emilee's birthday wish.

Can you guess?

 

 

 

My birthday wish was to go to Starbucks to read & study by myself. Every single time I have went in there before, although I love Starbucks & the people I go with nonetheless, I have always envied the people that can go by themselves.

 

 

My nest. :)

 

 

 

From my ever so lovely friend, Broseph... AKA Chloe. :)

 

• Homecoming!

It was our school's winter homecoming basketball game... I had babysat or was otherwise busy when all the other games had taken place so I finally got to go to one! It twas grand.

 

 

With Chloe and another sweet friend. :)

 

 

With that outline, I will close this post looking forward to coming to you soon. :) Really, really soon.

 

Teach me to number my days, Lord Jesus. Your will be done. We desire You so very much.

 

I got treasure up in heaven; I got dirt all over me,

Emilee 

 

explanations of my hatred for the 14th day.

If you haven't heard already, I hate Valentine's Day. In fact, I'm sure I am one of the biggest enemies of the stinkin' day. Everyone thinks I'm quiet until they get to know me or they hear my opinion of Valentine's Day. You have been warned.

Below are the reasons that I hate Valentine's Day in no specific order. Also, I'm including cards + videos from people that agree with my point of view. I'm sure I won't stray you one way or the other. You either love it or you hate it.

• The guys never win. Ever.

For example, a boyfriend gets his sweetheart nothing for valentine's day, because she said not to worry about it. So, because men tend not to over analyze, he doesn't really know that that meant that she secretly wants him to know her heart so well that he would know she REALLY actually does want something. Whoo, that was a 'mouth'ful.

Secondly, regardless of what instructions the girlfriend gave to the boyfriend, he got her something. It wasn't enough. Who knows how many other girls got the same thing she did? She wanted something personal, but he thought spending insert-amount-here stinkin' bucks would be enough. 

• Official Single Awareness Day.

 

I mean, really?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All singles in general are lonely in some way, shape, or form enough on a daily basis. We don't need a stinkin' holiday to remind us that we are 'forever alone' and that someone out there is buying their sweetheart something that we aren't going to get... or that we aren't going to get something from a charming acquaintance we were really hoping would take the plunge.

 

BUT, if you do go out on Valentine's Day or just have a valentine of your own, seriously--pray for the singles in your life. If you think about me you can, but I'm thinking my teenage self will just

suck it up and get over my romantic self on the worst day of the year.

 

• It promotes fake love.

 

We are paper hearts, but we mustn't be torn up. . So, even though we DO want treats + presents... if the man's heart isn't in it it's worthless. She might as well throw it away. That's another reason the guy could be confused... no matter what the price tag is, for most of us, we just want to be cherished. We want a sign of that.

 

Plus, no satisfaction can come from a day, person, or material possession--in Christ alone can our hearts be filled. It's a continual practice. Our hearts are broken and we don't want to go back again and again... because it's painful. Only then, though, will true happiness and freedom come. It's hard to explain in a day-to-day way to understand, but I can tell you this for sure: constant communication with the Lover of our souls does wonders within one's self.

 

• The money factor.

BTW, the last point doesn't give you guys an out to not spend money ONLY because I said that. I'm just sayin'.

 

Back to the point, the marketing is outrageous. Why spend SO MUCH money on this day? How about February 15--the best day of the year? It represents everyday life + the beauty beheld THERE--not when everything is glamorous and covered up. I would rather have something then than because of a silly marketing scheme. Take note, future husband, wherever thou art.

 

 

• I don't like pink.

I may wear it, but I'm just not the biggest fan. The isles of red, pink, and all those cheesy sayings just... UGH.

• The stinkin' holiday sucks me in.

Maybe one of the worst things about it is that I REALLY do want something on valentine's day, but because of these reasons + more, I tell people I don't want anything. I am speaking in truth, though, when I say that I would rather have something on February 15th. Plus, buyers--it will be cheaper. :)
 It grips us hopeFUL romantics and never lets us go. Ever.

• It's overrated.

"Oh, honey, let's go out to eat tonight and wait an hour to spend $50 on a dinner that you don't even really want to go to?" Once again, the guys commitment.

I mustn't continue explainging this segment. It pretty much explains itself.

For now, that concludes my main rant. It's a small list in comparison to my passion about the subject.

On a better note: the reasons I tolerate the day.

• It gives gift-givers like me an excuse.

Like this states, it gives me an excuse to make someone's day a little brighter. You could call it some sort of courage-giver. Even though you should give randomly as well, sometimes you need an extra boost. Although, I may not take the 'excuse', it's there!

• It's my nephew's birthday.

Probably the only reason I don't say I wish the day didn't exist. I love that little guy.

That's all the good I can think of. For now. :)

 

^^Agreed.

 

 

On these last notes, men:

 

 

 

 

So, dear valentine, somewhere out there...

 

here's to you:

 

 

 

 

 

Weary and rejoicing,

Emilee

 

 

 

january's journal entry titles.

Remember when I said I wanted to give a title to every journal entry this year? Well, January was a success and I thought I'd share--this is also the month I have journaled the most in a LONG time. :) I have enjoyed the process... even when it was hard to write some days.

•Tuesday, January 1, 2013.
[Peace Under Clouds.]

•Wednesday, January 2, 2013.
[I'm Back: Double Renewal.]

•Thursday, January 3, 2013.
[Contentment in Normalcy--a lil']

•Friday, January 4, 2013.
[The Curse of Vulnerability; the Blessing of Depending.]

•Monday, January 7, 2013.
[Roles + Quotes]

•Tuesday, January 8, 2013
[Beautiful 'Little' Lessons]

•Thursday, January 10, 2013.
[Adding to the Noise]

•Saturday, January 12, 2013.
[Christ + the Church]

•Monday, January 14, 2013.
[Wanting to Please in a World of (Men) Judges]

•Tuesday, January 15, 2013.
[Hosanna, Save Now.]

•Saturday, January 19, 2013.
[Dreams VS. Loneliness; Simply Not.]

•Saturday, January 19 {part two}, 2013.
[Resistance + the Heart of God]

•Monday, January 21, 2013.
[The 17th + Facts of Learning]

•Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
[Hard Is...]

•Thursday, January 24, 2013.
[An Update + 'Dear Grandpa']

•Friday, January 25, 2013.
[Record of the Savoring]

•Saturday, January 26, 2013.
[Terribly Mad; Weary + Rejoicing]

•Sunday, January 27, 2013.
[Panoramic View of Suffering; Soul's Best Wine.]

•Tuesday, January 29, 2013.
[Part One: Three Hands]

[Part Two: Smiles, Tears, and Last Breaths]

•Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
[Another Day in the Orchestra of Life]

•Thursday, January 31, 2013.
[God's Will, Expectation Exceeded, No Despair, Hatred, and Goodbye January]

Goodbye, January.
I like you, February + I look forward to you. Well, except that number 14 you possess--more on that later.

Teach me to number my days, Abba. I love You. Soften this heart of mine.

Here's to a month of catching up, unceasing prayer, random + heartfelt blog posts, turning to a certain age in a certain number of days, STARBUCKS {I miss Starbucks}, more reading, movie nights, more writing, picture taking, LIVING IT, hoping those dozen roses will come around miraculously, more drawing... and all this delightful 'stuff' that makes this peculiar treasure's heart grin.

Weary + Rejoicing,
Emilee

“Precious Lord Jesus, give us a fresh draught of Thy wondrous love to begin the month with. Amen.” --Charles Spurgeon,
Morning and Evening, February 1st.